The epic 'Gilgamesh' belongs to the ancient civilization of

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Accepted Answer

The correct option is 3:
The Epic of Gilgamesh is considered the earliest surviving great work of literature and the world's second oldest religious text. It originated in ancient Mesopotamia, specifically in Sumer, with the earliest Sumerian poems dating back to the Third Dynasty of Ur (around 2100 BCE). The story centers on Gilgamesh, a legendary king of Uruk (modern-day Iraq). The most complete version was discovered in the library ruins of Ashurbanipal, the Assyrian king, at Nineveh in the 19th century. Mesopotamia, the "land between rivers" (Tigris and Euphrates), was home to civilizations like Sumer, Akkad, Babylon, and Assyria, all of whom preserved and transmitted this epic tale.

The incorrect option is 1: Egypt.
Ancient Egyptian civilization produced vast amounts of literature, religious texts, and historical records (like the Book of the Dead and stories of pharaohs), but the Epic of Gilgamesh is distinctly Mesopotamian. There is no evidence connecting the creation of this epic to the Nile Valley civilization.

The incorrect option is 2: Indus.
The Indus Valley Civilization (or Harappan Civilization) thrived contemporaneously with Mesopotamia. While archaeologists have uncovered extensive evidence of sophisticated urban planning, seals, and a unique script, they have not yet deciphered the script, and therefore, no narrative epic comparable to Gilgamesh has been recovered from this civilization.

The incorrect option is 4: China.
Ancient Chinese civilization developed its own distinct literary and historical traditions, such as the philosophical writings of Confucius and the historical chronicles of the Shang and Zhou dynasties. China's early literature and major epics emerged independently and at a later time than the Epic of Gilgamesh.